Juanita M. Abke, age 86, of Portage, Ohio passed away on Sunday, August 14, 2016 at Bridge Hospice, Bowling Green, OH. She was born on July 1, 1930 in Bowling Green, OH to Coral and Ruth (Schultz) Ridenour. On August 10, 1957 she married Kenneth H. Abke at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Rochester, OH. After graduation from Washington Twp. High School in Tontogany, Juanita worked 12 years as an agent for the Wooden Agency Inc. in Bowling Green. She would subsequently focus on being a homemaker, wife and mother of three. As noted she was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School for 25 years. A very avid gardener and floral arranger, Juanita, was a charter member of the Four Seasons Garden Club and past Floral Show Chairman. In addition she was a member of the Town and Country OCCL, the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in Bowling Green, as well as a member and Past Nobel Grand of the Rebekah Lodge in Tontogany. She enjoyed many activities such as attending her grandchildren’s sporting events not to mention being a huge sports fan herself. Juanita also enjoyed playing cards, camping and traveling but she especially enjoyed her family.
Juanita is survived by her loving husband of 59 years Ken, children: Duane (Kellie) Abke of Pemberville, OH, Jeanette Wilks of Portage, OH, Colleen (Travis) Boyd of North Lawrence, OH, grandchildren: Brett (Stephanie) Abke, Kirsten Abke, Allison Abke all of Pemberville, OH, Austin Boyd, Tyler Boyd and Jenna Boyd all of North Lawrence, OH, sisters: Barbara Fite and Marjorie Lang of Bowling Green, OH. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 PM at the Marsh Funeral Home, 4094 State Route 105, Pemberville, OH. Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Rochester, OH, where their will be an additional time of visitation from 10:00 AM until time of service. Rev. Bruce Bair will be Officiating. Interment will be in the Fish Cemetery, Pemberville, OH. A bereavement luncheon will be served at the church immediately following the cemetery committal services. The family requests that consideration for memorial contributions be made to: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Rochester or Bridge Hospice in Bowling Green.
